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Blood pressure refers to the force waves of blood pumped from the heart exert on the arteries, explains Harvard Medical School. The total reading is a pair of numbers. The top number is the systolic pressure, which refers to the pressure in the arteries at the systole, which is the moment the heart contracts and propels a wave of blood outward. The bottom number is the diastolic pressure, which refers to the pressure during diastole, the brief relaxation period between beats.

An ideal blood pressure is less than 120/80, suggests Harvard Medical School. Readings of over 140/90 usually indicate hypertension or high blood pressure. Those with borderline or high blood pressure should make lifestyle changes to lower blood pressure, such as losing weight, limiting salt and exercising.

In some cases, doctors recommend medication to control blood pressure, states Harvard Medical School. ACE inhibitors, calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-receptor blockers and thiazide-type diuretics are some types of medications that lower blood pressure. High blood pressure elevates the risk of a number of health problems, including heart attack, stroke and aneurysm, so patients should follow their doctors’ advice to get their blood pressure readings into a healthy range.